THE DEVIL'S CUT by Andrew James Greig

4* Good 2nd book from this author, though you do need to suspend disbelief that these events take place in the quiet temoteness of a small Scottish town/village.

This is a decent read with a large red herring that just managed to not totally irritate me when all was revealed, because of what came to light as having been done to a certain character. Said character's monologuing/thoughts that readers are privy to hinted at a lot, but didn't deliver in the end, making me wonder at the build-up and then letdown, with said person shrugging off their persona, past, thoughts, accountability and actions without a care. Hmmm. I think, respectfully, better editor input could've helped that aspect of the tale be more organic. 

There was policing happening but the tale relied on luck, and the tale's location that enabled a vital piece of evidence not to have just been swept away, exposed to the elements as it was. That was very convenient but also quite transparent. 

Still, it was good enough that I'd read more from this author. Corstorphine is hearing his late wife's words, and seeing her in his mind's eye, less, and I liked how a fairly organic encounter may be bringing him back to the land of the living. I liked seeing this bold ethnic female character, both as a professional and as a romantic interest. She seemed independent, feisty, and sure of herself. I sensed a bit of conflict to do with her personal life, but perhaps she and Corstorphine may help each other there. I'd like to see more of what happened at the end of the tale blossom for them both.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure. 

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